Hand sanding block for use with continuous sanding belts

ABSTRACT

A hand sanding block accepts the continuous sanding belts that are normally used on electrically powered belt sanders. Shoulder stops and biasing springs within the device allow for two positions of the block and keep the movable tensioning arm from coming apart from the block. One position, the withdrawn position, allows for easy removal, replacement, or adjustment of the continuous sanding belt. A second, or extended position, tensions the sanding belt to keep it in place on the sanding block.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hand sanding blocks and particularly to a hand sanding block that accepts the continuous sanding belts that are normally used on electrically powered belt sanders in a hand-held sanding block with a shaped hollow interior space have two springs normally biasing a sanding belt tensioning arm outward to tension a surrounding continuous sanding belt for use and two inner shoulders to engage one side of an inner T-shaped end of the arm to hold the arm inside for removing, replacing, or adjusting the sanding belt.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Prior art in this field have many designs on function of the tension devices to keep the belt taut on the hand sanding block. Previous designs include wedges, screws that tighten by lengthening the block, eccentric cams with levers. Springs are also used in some prior designs for tensioning. With the prior sanding blocks, to remove and replace the continuous belts require more actions that makes these designs not user friendly due to the complex systems of action including detent buttons, with levers, screws that tighten the belts by shortening and lengthening the tensioning device. Some of these designs come apart into two pieces after the sanding belt is removed.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,457,466, issued Dec. 28, 1948 to Hanna, is for a hand operated abrader having a supporting block and a sharply curved push bar. One end of the supporting block has a flat portion. An abrasive strip in continuous form envelops the supporting block. The push bar has a pair of arms disposed in two holes in the flat portion of the supporting block. A coil spring loosely surrounds each of the arms and has one end seated against the shoulder in the appropriate hole and the other end active against the push bar, thereby holding the abrasive strip to the supporting block.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,654, issued Feb. 24, 1998 to Mac Donald, provides a hand sanding block for use with an endless abrasive belt of the type normally used with power sanders. The block has a body and a slidable nose which is biased outwardly. A pin limits the outward travel of the nose relative to the body. A detent is provided so the nose may be temporarily secured in a refracted position for ease of loading and unloading sanding belts.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,667, issued Apr. 11, 2006 to LaMarche, shows a sanding block apparatus including first and second sections of a sanding block slidably interconnected and adapted for use with a continuous belt, and a resilient member interposed between the first section and second sections such that the resilient member both selectively repels the first and second sections one from the other while securing the first and second sections in a desired position relative to one another. The resilient member is rotatably connected to the first section of the sanding block such that the resilient member moves between alternate rotational positions. The resilient member produces variable pressure on the second section of sanding block depending on the rotational position of the resilient member. The resilient member includes a lever for securing the second section of sanding block in a position relative to the first section of sanding block.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,835,124, issued Dec. 28, 2004 to Stephan, claims an adjustable sanding block which holds a continuous loop sanding belt tightly thereon. The block includes a hollow block body including a spring clamp having top and bottom racks of serrated indented teeth, which extend longitudinally therein, forming the top and bottom gear racks. Each of these gear racks engages reciprocal top and bottom gear racks with serrated indented teeth extending longitudinally along top and bottom forked members the spring clamp. The spring clamp is positioned within the hollow block body so that the continuous loop sanding belt can be tightly fit over the hollow block body.

U.S. Pat. No. D305,400, issued Jan. 9, 1990 to Petrovich, describes the ornamental design for a hand-held sander.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,430, issued Mar. 15, 1988 to Petrovich, discloses a relatively thin, hand-held tool for abrading, sanding or polishing a workpiece comprised of an elongated body constructed to carry a flexible, endless strip longitudinally therebout. The body includes handlike portion and a workpiece engaging portion, which define the path. Means associated with the handle portion are provided to align said strip with respect to the workpiece engaging portion. The body further includes a spring means for releasably holding the strip under tension in contact with the path.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,308, issued Jan. 24, 1995 to Beloff, indicates a hand sanding block which is formed with two blocks, which may be of equal or unequal lengths of like cross section and disposed in coplanar relationship with opposed inner ends. The blocks are freely movable towards and away from each other almost to the point of separation, by means of a pair of spaced dowel pins projecting from one block for telescopic engagement in corresponding spring loaded sockets in the other block and are normally held apart in spaced relationship by the springs in the sockets. For mounting and removing an endless sanding belt the blocks are pressed together so the inner ends are in abutting relationship and once the belt is in place, the holding pressure is released so the blocks can move apart to provide tension on the belt. The block with the socket has two precisely placed holes for screws to be inserted near the forward end of the internal springs holding the spring ends in their sockets while at the same time the dowel pins, are securely glued in the opposite block, therefore preventing the total separation of the blocks at any time.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,524, issued Dec. 22, 1992 to Poss, puts forth a hand sanding block that is formed with two blocks, which may be of equal or unequal lengths, of like cross section and disposed in coplanar relationship with opposed inner ends. The blocks are freely movable towards away from each other, event to the point of total separation, by means of a pair of spaced dowel pins projecting from one block for telescopic engagement in corresponding spring loaded sockets in the other block and are normally held apart in spaced relationship by the springs in the sockets. For mounting and removing an endless sanding belt or an abrasive sanding strip, the blocks are pressed together so the inner ends are in abutting relationship and once the belt or strip is in place, the holding pressure is released so the block can move apart to provide tension on the belt or strip. The block with the sockets has a transverse opening, communicating with the sockets and the dowel pins, into which a removable stop is inserted for wedging engagement against the dowel pins to hold them immovable for maintaining the inner ends of the blocks together to mount or remove the belt or strip. A resilient tether is secured across the opposed inner ends to prevent the total separation of the blocks at any time.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,761,257, issued Sep. 4, 1956 to Mendelsohn, concerns a sanding block in which tension is imparted to an abrasive belt through a spring and guide arrangement contained within an opposed pair of sanding block halves.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,106,806, issued Oct. 15, 1963 to Hutchins, provides a work smoothing tool sanding that includes a pair of like cross section components, which of unequal lengths, disposed in coplanar relationship and normally held in spaced relationship by a relatively strong spring means to provide tension on an attached endless belt of sanding material extending over one coplanar side and removably attached to the opposite ends of the blocks.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,400,928, issued May 28, 1946 to Hein, illustrates a two-part sanding block for sheets of sandpaper that uses springs to urge the two parts away from each other thereby creating tension to keep the sheet of sandpaper taut.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,270,835, issued Jan. 20, 1942 to Hibert, is for a cleaning tool for spot welding electrodes which holds an endless abrasive belt under tension on two rollers using springs to force a first roller away from a second roller.

What is needed is a hand-held, continuous sanding belt device which has a sanding belt tensioning arm which compresses easily from either side, and locks allowing the user to easily replace the belt, and then with one action of pressure on the opposite side of the tensioning arm allows for a quick tensioning of the replacement belt.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held, continuous sanding belt device which has a sanding belt tensioning arm which compresses easily from either side and locks allowing the user to easily replace the belt, and then with one action of pressure on the opposite side of the tensioning arm allows for a quick tensioning of the replacement belt.

Another object of the present invention is to provide shoulder stops that keep the tensioning arm from disengaging from the sanding block, keeping the unit in one piece even without the sanding belt installed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held, continuous sanding belt sanding block with only one moving part moved by two tensioning springs.

In brief, the present invention comprises a hand sanding block that accepts the continuous sanding belts that are normally used on electrically powered belt sanders in a hand-held sanding block with a shaped hollow interior space have two springs normally biasing a sanding belt tensioning arm outward to tension a surrounding continuous sanding belt for use and two inner shoulders to engage one side of an inner T-shaped end of the arm to hold the arm inside for removing, replacing, or adjusting the sanding belt.

The advantages of the present invention are that it compresses easily from either side and locks allowing the user to easily replace or adjust the belt. Then with one action of pressure on the opposite side of the tensioning member allows for a quick tensioning of the replacement belt. Another advantage is the shoulder stops that keep the tensioning member from disengaging from the sanding block, keeping the unit in one piece even without the belt installed. The present invention has only one moving part except for the two tensioning springs.

An advantage of the present invention is that it accepts preexisting and readily available continuous sanding belts that are normally used on electrically powered belt sanders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the hand held sanding block for use with continuous sanding belts of the present invention showing a top and bottom of the body of the sanding block aligned for assembly and the continuous sanding belt aligned for installation around the sanding block;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the interior of the bottom half of the sanding block of the hand held sanding block for use with continuous sanding belts of the present invention showing the sanding belt tensioning arm extending out of the sanding block;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the interior of the bottom half of the sanding block of the hand held sanding block for use with continuous sanding belts of the present invention showing the sanding belt tensioning arm withdrawn into the sanding block;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled hand held sanding block for use with continuous sanding belts of the present invention showing the sanding belt tensioning arm extending out of the sanding block engaging and tensioning a continuous sanding belt;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled hand held sanding block for use with continuous sanding belts of the present invention showing the sanding belt tensioning arm withdrawn into the sanding block for removing, replacing, or adjusting the continuous sanding belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1-5, a hand sanding block device 10 for utilizing continuous sanding belts 30 comprises a sanding block 20 and a sanding belt tensioning arm 24.

In FIGS. 1-5, the sanding block 20 comprises a substantially planar rectangular block held in a hand of a user, the sanding block structured to receive a continuous sanding belt 30 removably encircling the sanding block 20 from a first end to a second end of the sanding block, leaving opposing side edges of the sanding block exposed for grasping by the fingers and thumb of a user, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The sanding block further comprises a rounded first edge 22 for supporting a first end loop of the continuous sanding belt 30. The sanding block 20 has a shaped hollow interior portion 11 and an opening 13 at a second end of sanding block 20 communicating with the hollow interior portion 11.

In FIGS. 1-3, a sanding belt tensioning arm 24 is slidably retained within the shaped hollow interior 11 and extending out the opening 13. The sanding belt tensioning member 24 comprises an outer rounded edge 23 extending outside the sanding block 20 for supporting a second loop of the continuous sanding belt and an interior elongated arm fitting slidably within the shaped hollow interior portion 11 of the sanding block 20. The sanding belt tensioning arm 24 moves between a first position (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) extending out of the sanding block 20 and biased against the continuous sanding belt 30 by a double spring 27 as a means for biasing the sanding belt tensioning arm 24 normally out of the sanding block 20 to tension the continuous sanding belt 30 for use in sanding an external object and a second position (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5) with the sanding belt tensioning arm 24 withdrawn into the sanding block 20 and held by a first shoulder 12 engaging means to release the continuous sanding belt for removal, replacement, and adjustment. The biasing means preferably comprises two springs 27 communicating between the sanding block 20 and the sanding belt tensioning arm 24 although other biasing means may be used.

In FIGS. 1-3, the interior elongated arm 28 of the sanding belt tensioning arm 24 further comprises a T-shaped interior end 29 of the tensioning arm and the engaging means comprises a first pair of shoulders 12 within the shaped hollow interior portion 11. The first pair of shoulders 12 is structured with one on each side of the interior elongated arm, spaced apart by a distance greater than the width of the T-shaped interior end 29 of the tensioning arm 24 and each of the first pair of shoulders 12 angled forward from the inside edge adjacent to the tensioning arm 24 to the point where it meets the outer wall of the chamber 11 so that the arm pivots laterally to engage one side of the T-shaped interior end 29 on one of the first pair of shoulders 12 to retain the sanding belt tensioning arm 24 in the second position, withdrawn into the sanding block as shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 5, the sanding block 20 is shown in the withdrawn position with continuous sanding belt 30 in place, and able to be removed or replaced.

In FIGS. 1-3, the shaped hollow interior portion 11 of the sanding block 20 further comprises a second pair of shoulders 14 closer to the opening 13, which second pair of shoulders each have a ledge perpendicular to the outer wall of the chamber 11. The second pair of shoulders 14 is spaced together less than the length of the T-bar of the T-shaped interior end 29 so that when the continuous sanding belt 30 is removed and the sanding belt tensioning arm 24 is released from one of the first pair of shoulders 12, the T-bar T-shaped interior end 29 contacts both of the second pair of shoulders 14 to prevent the sanding belt tensioning arm 24 from leaving the sanding block 20 as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 4, the sanding block 20 is shown in the extended position with the continuous sanding belt 30 in place with proper tension for use.

In FIGS. 1-3, the biasing means comprises a pair of springs 27, one on each side of the interior elongated arm of the sanding belt tensioning arm 24 and communicating between the sanding box 20 and the sanding belt tensioning arm 24 to bias the outer rounded edge 23 evenly against the second end of the continuous sand paper belt 30.

In use, the present invention compresses easily from either side and locks allowing the user to easily replace or adjust the continuous sanding belt 30. Then with one action of pressure on the opposite side of the tensioning member 24 allows for a release of the T-bar T-shaped interior end 29 and a quick tensioning of the replacement belt 30. Inner shoulders 14 keep the tensioning member from disengaging from the sanding block 20, keeping the unit in one piece even without the belt installed. The present invention has only one moving part, the tensioning member 24 biased by the two tensioning springs 27.

The present invention can be used by carpenters, craftsmen or anyone around the home and this device can accept the continuous sanding belts that are normally used on electrically powered belt sanders.

It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. 

1. A hand sanding block device for utilizing continuous sanding belts, the device comprising: a sanding block comprising a substantially planar rectangular block held in a hand of a user, the sanding block structured to receive a continuous sanding belt removably encircling the sanding block from a first end to a second end of the sanding block leaving opposing side edges of the sanding block exposed for grasping by the fingers and thumb of a user, the sanding block further comprising a rounded first edge for supporting a first end loop of the continuous sanding belt and the sanding block having a shaped hollow interior portion and an opening at a second end of sanding block communicating with the hollow interior portion, the shaped hollow interior portion having means for engaging an element inserted within the hollow interior portion; a sanding belt tensioning arm slidably retained within the shaped hollow interior and extending out the opening, the sanding belt tensioning member comprising an outer rounded edge extending outside the sanding block for supporting a second loop of the continuous sanding belt and an interior elongated arm fitting slidably within the shaped hollow interior portion of the sanding block, the sanding belt tensioning arm moving between a first position extending out of the sanding black and biased against the continuous sanding belt by means for biasing the sanding belt tensioning arm normally out of the sanding block to tension the continuous sanding belt for use in sanding an external object and a second position with the sanding belt tensioning arm withdrawn into the sanding block held by the engaging means to release the continuous sanding belt for removal, replacement, and adjustment of the continuous sanding belt, wherein the biasing means comprises at least one spring communicating between the sanding block and the sanding belt tensioning arm.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the interior elongated arm of the sanding belt tensioning arm further comprises an interior T-shaped interior end of the elongated arm and the engaging means comprises a first pair of shoulders within the shaped hollow interior portion, the first pair of shoulders, structured with one on each side of the interior elongated arm spaced apart by a distance greater than the width of the elongated arm so that the elongated arm pivots laterally to engage one side of the T-shaped interior end on one of the first pair of shoulders to retain the sanding belt tensioning arm in the second position withdraw into the sanding block.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the shaped hollow interior portion of the sanding block further comprises a second pair of shoulders closer to the opening, the second pair of shoulders spaced together less than the length of the T-bar of the T-shaped interior end so that when the continuous sanding belt is removed and the sanding belt tensioning arm is released from one of the first pair of shoulders, the T-bar contacts both of the second pair of shoulders to prevent the sanding belt tensioning arm from leaving the sanding block.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the biasing means comprises a pair of springs, one on each side of the interior elongated arm of the sanding belt tensioning arm communicating between the sanding box and the sanding belt tensioning arm to bias the outer rounded edge evenly against the second end of the continuous sand paper belt. 